Greece Bans Social Media for Children Under 15 Starting January 2027
Greece has become the first European Union member state to pass legislation banning social media access for children under the age of 15. The restrictions take effect on January 1, 2027, and apply to major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the move a difficult but necessary step to protect minors in the digital environment.
Companies operating these platforms must implement reliable age-verification systems to block underage users. To safeguard privacy, the verification process will use specialized digital credentials that confirm age without exposing unnecessary personal information. Meanwhile, parents will use state-supported applications such as Kids Wallet or Gov.gr to restrict social media usage on children’s devices.
Greece acts on digital regulations for children
Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence Dimitris Papastergiu emphasized that the government cannot wait for the European Union to agree on a joint regulatory framework. Papastergiu noted that children spend increasing amounts of time online, making immediate national action necessary. Social media companies that fail to comply with the new requirements will face financial penalties under the EU Digital Services Act.
This decision builds on prior Greek policies targeting youth device usage. The country banned mobile phones in schools in 2024, marking a steady tightening of restrictions on children’s digital lives. Greek officials have expressed hope that other European nations will follow their legislative example.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Greek Social Media Ban
Which social media platforms are affected by the new Greek law?
The restrictions apply to major platforms operating within the country, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. Companies running these services must integrate reliable age-verification solutions ahead of the 2027 deadline.
How will parents manage device restrictions at home?
Parents will rely on state-supported mobile applications named Kids Wallet and Gov.gr. These tools allow guardians to actively limit social media access on devices used by minors.
What penalties do companies face for non-compliance?
Platforms that fail to enforce the mandatory age verification and access rules will face financial penalties administered through the European Union’s Digital Services Act framework.
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